Sunderland

Sunderland's population grew older in the decade to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, marriage and family life.

The population decreased

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Sunderland fell by 1.9%, from just under 281,000 to 276,000.

The loss of about 5,000 people means this area's population was the third-most rapidly-declining in the North East and, while the population of England increased by 7.9%.

In 2011, Sunderland was home to, on average, 14 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the North East

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the North East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Sunderland

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Sunderland increased by four years, from 37 to 41 years.

This industrial area had a slightly higher average age than the North East and became slightly older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 3,400 people aged 80 years or over, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 9,000.

About 8.0% of people in Sunderland are aged over the age of 80 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, North East and Sunderland by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Sunderland

Sunderland saw the North East's second-largest rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just over 1 in 19 (5.3%) in Sunderland reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 4.5% in 2001. The percentage who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 6.8% to 6.5%.

Across the region, only South Tyneside saw a greater rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 4.2% to 5.0%).

During this period, Sunderland overtook Hartlepool and Middlesbrough to become the North East local authority area with the highest percentage of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the North East

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the North East and the average across England, March 2011

Fall in social renting

The percentage of Sunderland households that rented through social housing schemes decreased from 33% to 27% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under one in eight (12%) households rented privately, compared with 5.4% in 2001. The percentage of Sunderland households that owned their home remained close to 60%.

The proportion of socially rented homes decreased faster here than in any other local authority district across the North East. As a result, Sunderland became more healthy than the regional average 23% in the North East described their health as good in 2011).

The rate of social housing in Sunderland decreased by 6.3 percentage points

Percentage of households in Sunderland, the North East and England that rented socially, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer married people

The proportion of married people fell in Sunderland, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the North East, except Hartlepool.

Every local authority area across the North East saw a fall in the proportion of married people, as the regional average fell from 51% to 46%.

During this period, Sunderland fell below Hartlepool to become the North East local authority area with the sixth-lowest percentage of married people.

The proportion of married people was lower than across the North East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in the North East and the average across England, March 2011

Fewer homes with children

Sunderland saw the North East's largest fall in the proportion of households with children.

In 2011, just under 3 in 10 (28%) households in Sunderland had at least one dependent child, compared with 31% in 2001. The percentage with no children increased from 56% to 59%.

Across the region, Redcar and Cleveland saw the next largest decrease in the proportion of households with children (from 31% in 2001 to 28% in 2011).

Every local authority area across the North East saw a fall in the proportion of households with children, as the regional average fell from 30% to 28%.

The proportion of households with children was higher than across the North East

Percentage of households with at least one dependent child across local authority areas in the North East and the average across England, March 2011

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